Bio

COACHINGA veteran of 25 NFL seasons, John Matsko's promotion to running game coordinator in 2016 comes after five seasons of excellent work with the Panthers' front line. Since Matsko's first season in 2011, the Panthers rank third in the NFL in rushing yards. Carolina enters the 2016 season with 27 consecutive regular season games of at least 100 rushing yards, the longest streak since Pittsburgh tallied 43 from 1974-77.

In 2015, Matsko's line played a prominent role in the Panthers' success as Carolina advanced to Super Bowl 50 on the strength of the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense and No. 2 rushing offense. Two of Matsko's charges – center Ryan Kalil and guard Trai Turner – earned Pro Bowl honors, and Kalil added first-team All-Pro recognition. The line's efforts helped Carolina set team records with an NFL-leading 500 points and 59 total touchdowns and produce a team-record 357 first downs.

In 2014, Matsko stabilized a line that played much of the season with four starters who entered the NFL as undrafted rookies. Matsko constructed a unit that aided a top-10 finish in rushing (seventh) and first downs (ninth) as the Panthers advanced to the playoffs for the second straight season. Carolina fielded a different starting offensive line for seven consecutive games beginning in Week 6 before settling on a lineup that featured two rookies.

In 2013, Matsko's unit featured five different starting combinations, and only two players – Kalil and tackle Jordan Gross – started all 16 games for a 12-4 team. Kalil was named first-team All-Pro and was selected to his fourth career Pro Bowl, while Gross earned Pro Bowl honors for the third time in his final season.

In 2012, despite losing Kalil after five games and starting eight different combinations, the line helped Carolina total 5,771 yards, the third-highest mark in team history.

In his first season as the Panthers' offensive line coach in 2011, Matsko led a unit that helped Carolina rush for 2,408 yards, the third most in team history. The Panthers set team records with an average of 5.41 yards per carry and 139 rushing first downs and became the first team in NFL history to feature three 700-yard rushers. Kalil was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors.

From 2008-10, Matsko helped the Baltimore Ravens rank in the top five in the NFL in rushing twice. He mentored current Panthers tackle Michael Oher to the NFL's all-rookie team in 2009, and in 2008 the team yielded only 33 sacks, the second fewest in team history.

Prior to joining Baltimore, Matsko served as offensive line coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2006-07. In 2006, the offensive line helped the Chiefs rank ninth in the NFL in rushing and compile a team-record 11 100-yard rushing games. Under Matsko's guidance, guards Will Shields and Brian Waters earned Pro Bowl recognition.

From 1999-2005, Matsko served as the offensive line coach for the St. Louis Rams. One of the most dynamic offenses in NFL history, the Rams led the league in total offense for three consecutive years from 1999-2001, including a record 5,232 yards in 2000, and won Super Bowl XXXIV. He played an instrumental role in the development of two Pro Bowlers - tackle Orlando Pace and guard Adam Timmerman.

Matsko began his NFL coaching career as offensive line coach of the Phoenix Cardinals in 1992 and served in that capacity for two seasons. In 1993, the line opened holes for the Cardinals to have their first 1,000-yard rusher since 1985. He then moved to New Orleans in 1994 and coached three seasons with the Saints. Under Matsko's tutelage, tackle Willie Roaf made three Pro Bowls, and the Saints rated third in the league for fewest sacks allowed in 1996.

Following his stint with New Orleans, Matsko assumed the same role from 1997-98 with the New York Giants, where they improved both their pass protection and run blocking. The Giants allowed 24 fewer sacks and jumped from 19th to seventh in the NFL in rushing in 1997 compared to 1996.

Before entering the NFL coaching ranks, Matsko spent 17 years on the college level. He worked as a graduate assistant at Miami (Ohio) from 1974-75 and returned as offensive line coach in 1977 after being the head coach at Danbury High School in Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio, in 1976. Matsko served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at North Carolina from 1978-84 prior to stops as offensive line coach at Navy in 1985 and Arizona in 1986. He joined Southern California as offensive line coach in 1987 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1989 for his final three seasons with the Trojans.

PLAYING AND PERSONALMatsko played fullback at Kent State and lettered three years from 1970-72. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business education in 1973 and later earned a master's degree in education from Miami (Ohio) in 1976.

COACHINGA veteran of 25 NFL seasons, John Matsko's promotion to running game coordinator in 2016 comes after five seasons of excellent work with the Panthers' front line. Since Matsko's first season in 2011, the Panthers rank third in the NFL in rushing yards. Carolina enters the 2016 season with 27 consecutive regular season games of at least 100 rushing yards, the longest streak since Pittsburgh tallied 43 from 1974-77.

In 2015, Matsko's line played a prominent role in the Panthers' success as Carolina advanced to Super Bowl 50 on the strength of the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense and No. 2 rushing offense. Two of Matsko's charges – center Ryan Kalil and guard Trai Turner – earned Pro Bowl honors, and Kalil added first-team All-Pro recognition. The line's efforts helped Carolina set team records with an NFL-leading 500 points and 59 total touchdowns and produce a team-record 357 first downs.

In 2014, Matsko stabilized a line that played much of the season with four starters who entered the NFL as undrafted rookies. Matsko constructed a unit that aided a top-10 finish in rushing (seventh) and first downs (ninth) as the Panthers advanced to the playoffs for the second straight season. Carolina fielded a different starting offensive line for seven consecutive games beginning in Week 6 before settling on a lineup that featured two rookies.

In 2013, Matsko's unit featured five different starting combinations, and only two players – Kalil and tackle Jordan Gross – started all 16 games for a 12-4 team. Kalil was named first-team All-Pro and was selected to his fourth career Pro Bowl, while Gross earned Pro Bowl honors for the third time in his final season.

In 2012, despite losing Kalil after five games and starting eight different combinations, the line helped Carolina total 5,771 yards, the third-highest mark in team history.

In his first season as the Panthers' offensive line coach in 2011, Matsko led a unit that helped Carolina rush for 2,408 yards, the third most in team history. The Panthers set team records with an average of 5.41 yards per carry and 139 rushing first downs and became the first team in NFL history to feature three 700-yard rushers. Kalil was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors.

From 2008-10, Matsko helped the Baltimore Ravens rank in the top five in the NFL in rushing twice. He mentored current Panthers tackle Michael Oher to the NFL's all-rookie team in 2009, and in 2008 the team yielded only 33 sacks, the second fewest in team history.

Prior to joining Baltimore, Matsko served as offensive line coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2006-07. In 2006, the offensive line helped the Chiefs rank ninth in the NFL in rushing and compile a team-record 11 100-yard rushing games. Under Matsko's guidance, guards Will Shields and Brian Waters earned Pro Bowl recognition.

From 1999-2005, Matsko served as the offensive line coach for the St. Louis Rams. One of the most dynamic offenses in NFL history, the Rams led the league in total offense for three consecutive years from 1999-2001, including a record 5,232 yards in 2000, and won Super Bowl XXXIV. He played an instrumental role in the development of two Pro Bowlers - tackle Orlando Pace and guard Adam Timmerman.

Matsko began his NFL coaching career as offensive line coach of the Phoenix Cardinals in 1992 and served in that capacity for two seasons. In 1993, the line opened holes for the Cardinals to have their first 1,000-yard rusher since 1985. He then moved to New Orleans in 1994 and coached three seasons with the Saints. Under Matsko's tutelage, tackle Willie Roaf made three Pro Bowls, and the Saints rated third in the league for fewest sacks allowed in 1996.

Following his stint with New Orleans, Matsko assumed the same role from 1997-98 with the New York Giants, where they improved both their pass protection and run blocking. The Giants allowed 24 fewer sacks and jumped from 19th to seventh in the NFL in rushing in 1997 compared to 1996.

Before entering the NFL coaching ranks, Matsko spent 17 years on the college level. He worked as a graduate assistant at Miami (Ohio) from 1974-75 and returned as offensive line coach in 1977 after being the head coach at Danbury High School in Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio, in 1976. Matsko served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at North Carolina from 1978-84 prior to stops as offensive line coach at Navy in 1985 and Arizona in 1986. He joined Southern California as offensive line coach in 1987 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1989 for his final three seasons with the Trojans.

PLAYING AND PERSONALMatsko played fullback at Kent State and lettered three years from 1970-72. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business education in 1973 and later earned a master's degree in education from Miami (Ohio) in 1976.